1. FRANCE Ministry of Interior Department of refugees and asylum seeker’s reception ENARO Closing Conference Ragusa, 28th-30th November 2012

2. French government system Ministry of interior Asylum Service Department of Refugees and Asylum seeker’s reception French Office for Immigration and Integration OFII French Office for the protection of refugees and stateless persons OFPRA

3. Asylum in France France is the first country in Europe for asylum application : –2011 : 57 000 asylum applications, –November 2012 : 44 642 asylum applications, –60% increase between 2007 and 2011, –2011 : 3 main countries of origin: Bengladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Armeny, –2012 : Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia, Sri-Lanka, –25,2% refugee status granted in 2011 –Increase in lenght of procedures : around 17 months in 2011.

4. Evolution of applications in France

5. French reception system for asylum seekers The reception of asylum seekers in France is a competence of the State, it doesn’t depend on the local authorities. This reception system is organised through: – A network of platforms for initial reception which missions are to inform, direct and accompany the asylum seekers; –A network of reception centers for asylum seekers called CADA, which vocation is to accommodate asylum seekers. – A mechanism of emergency accommodation in order to provide shelter to asylum seekers in need usually in collective housing or in hotel rooms;

6. The reception plateforms Reception platforms is the first step for an asylum seeker to benefit from conditions of reception. Platforms are run by the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII), 34 regional reception platforms in France throughout the territory, 11 missions in particular: – to inform the asylum seekers, –to translate their story to submit their application, –to give access to administrative support, and social support, –orientate the applicants to an accomodation…

7. Reception centers There are almost 270 reception centres for asylum seekers (CADA), about 21 410 places spread over the whole French territory. There are no CADA in the overseas departments or territories. In the CADA the asylum seekers benefit from administrative support : –guidance in the asylum application procedure, –social support like health care,children’s schooling, –financial food aid. It is funded and co-ordinated by the state. In general the reception centres are managed by NGOs In 2012, 30% of asylum seekers are accomodated in CADAs.

8. Emergency accommodation If the national system for receiving asylum seekers cannot accommodate them in a CADA, emergency accommodation in a collective structure or a hotel may be offered, depending on what is available in the location where they are. In 2012, there are about 20 000 beds in the emergency accomodation for asylum seekers. Asylum seekers who are waiting for accommodation in a CADA may benefit from the temporary welfare allowance (ATA) : 11,01€ per day for an adult. If no solution can be offered, people can dial the freephone number 115, every day and from any public telephone box. By giving his name and the place he is, an asylum seeker can be accepted for the night and accommodated in an emergency reception centre.

9. Refugees and failed asylum seekers 1081 bed in speciliased centers for refugees Failed asylum seekers try other procedures to be granted leave (health, family etc…) Very few are sent back by enforced measures or voluntary return.

10. Current developments and main goals Concerning CADA : –8 % budget reduction during from 2011 to 2013 –1 000 new beds in CADA in 2013 –Goal is to increase turnover in centers Concerning emergency housings: –Reduce the gap between services offered in different types of emergency housings –Accomodate more asylum seekers within the same budget –Better distribution of asylum seekers within each region

11. Thank you for your attention Sandrine SPINOSA-GUEBIN sandrine.spinosa-guebin@immigration- integration.gouv.fr